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If Round 1 laid the foundations, Round 2 ripped up the script.
Three matches, three seismic results, and a tournament that is already shifting in unexpected ways.
England rose from the brink to stun France in an all-time Twickenham classic. Ireland’s machine kept rolling, swatting aside Scotland with a statement win at Murrayfield. And then came Italy—no longer just disruptors, but contenders, dismantling Wales in a historic night in Rome.
The Six Nations is alive. The stakes are climbing. And after a weekend of twists and turns, one thing is clear: there are no guarantees in 2025.
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England vs France (26-25)
If Round 1 set the tempo, Round 2 detonated the Six Nations into life.
England clawed out a 26-25 win over France at Twickenham in a contest that flipped on its head more times than the ball itself.
Momentum swung violently, tactical battles played out across every blade of grass, and the final act left an entire stadium gasping for air.
What unfolded at Twickenham went beyond a standard rugby contest, evolving into a fierce test of nerve, execution, and resilience.
France had control. Then they didn’t. England found their moment and refused to let go.
First Half: French Precision Meets English Resistance
France arrived with intent, their early phase play sharp, their line speed suffocating. They drove England back, stretched them wide, but when it came to finishing, they blinked.
Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud both carved open space, only for the ball to slip away at the crucial moment.
It took until the 30th minute for France to find the cutting edge.
Dupont, as instinctive as ever, released Penaud on the outside. A measured chip, a burst of acceleration from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and suddenly Twickenham was watching a blue jersey glide over the whitewash.
France should have built from there. Instead, England pounced. One trip into the French 22 was all they needed.
Ollie Lawrence took the direct route, shrugging off Thomas Ramos and thundering under the posts.
Marcus Smith’s conversion made it 7-7 at the break. England had absorbed everything France threw at them and still stood level.
Second Half: A Battle for Control
France wrestled back the lead through two Ramos penalties, nudging ahead 13-7, but the balance was never settled for long.
Fin Smith, making his first Test start, spotted an opening. His cross-field kick spiraled into Twickenham’s floodlights, and Tommy Freeman climbed above Bielle-Biarrey to bring it down and finish. The conversion sailed wide, but England were closing in.
Not for long.
Damian Penaud has built a career on moments like these. One sharp line, a flash of acceleration, and France were back in control at 18-12.
Then came the power shift. England’s forwards turned pressure into points, and replacement prop Fin Baxter smashed through a pile of bodies to touch down. Smith’s conversion edged England in front, 19-18. Twickenham believed.
The Final Minutes: A Twisted Finish
Five minutes left. Bielle-Biarrey darted through, his second try of the night restoring France’s lead. With Ramos adding the extras, France led 25-19.
England were out of time. Or so it seemed.
79th minute. A fraction of space. Elliot Daly saw it before anyone else. He hit the gap, sliced through the blue line, and raced home. The noise was instant, deafening. But the job wasn’t done.
Fin Smith, 21 years old, 20 metres out. His kick needed no second invitation. 26-25. A win ripped from the brink.
Standout Performances
- Fin Smith: A first start, a last-minute kick, and a performance that England fans won’t forget in a hurry.
- Tommy Freeman: Claimed every high ball that came his way and delivered a moment of brilliance when England needed it.
- Elliot Daly: One chance, one clean break, one match-winning try.
What’s Next?
England rediscovered their backbone. They’re far from the finished article, but they’ve got belief. France, on the other hand, will wonder how they let this one slip. The Six Nations is just warming up.
Ireland vs Scotland (32-18)
If there were any doubts about Ireland’s Six Nations credentials, they vanished under the Murrayfield lights.
A resounding 32-18 victory over Scotland made it 11 in a row against their Celtic rivals, a streak that now feels less like a contest and more like a ritual.
From the opening whistle, Ireland dictated the tempo, striking early, absorbing pressure, and punishing mistakes. For Scotland, an already daunting task became near impossible as key injuries derailed their challenge.
By the time the final whistle sounded, Ireland had done more than just win. They’d sent a message.
First Half: Irish Control, Scottish Misfortune
It took eight minutes for Ireland to break through. Sam Prendergast, fearless on his first away start, fizzed a long pass to Calvin Nash, who skated through untouched. Prendergast’s conversion made it 7-0—a start as sharp as it was clinical.
Scotland’s response? Frustration.
Duhan van der Merwe saw yellow after clashing with Nash off the ball. Moments later, disaster struck—Finn Russell and Darcy Graham collided, both forced off for head injury assessments. With their playmakers gone, Scotland were suddenly swinging in the dark.
Ireland smelt blood.
Captain Caelan Doris powered over, Prendergast added the extras, and at 17-0, it looked like a rout was on.
But Scotland found a flicker of hope.
Back from the bin, Van der Merwe bulldozed his way over, before Blair Kinghorn’s boot cut the gap to 17-11 at halftime.
Second Half: Ireland Shut the Door
The break changed nothing—Ireland were relentless.
A slick move down the left unleashed James Lowe, and his trademark finish restored breathing space. When Jack Conan barreled over to seal the bonus point, the green jerseys knew the job was done.
Scotland, to their credit, fought to the end. Ben White sniped over late, Kinghorn’s conversion adding respectability to the scoreline. But the damage had long been done.
Standout Performances
- Sam Prendergast: A first away start, a cool head, and 12 points to his name. The future of Irish rugby? It’s looking bright.
- Caelan Doris: Led from the front, dominant in contact, and set the tone with his first-half try. A captain’s performance.
- James Lowe: One chance, one finish, one crucial try to put Scotland out of sight.
What’s Next?
Ireland march on. Unbeaten. Unwavering.
Unstoppable? Their Grand Slam ambitions remain intact, while Scotland are left to regroup, wondering what might have been.
For now, though, the Six Nations is Ireland’s playground.
Italy vs Wales (22-15)
For years, Rome has been little more than a stopover for visiting teams. A place where sides collected points, dusted themselves off, and moved on.
Not this time. Not this Italy.
A gritty, determined, and ice-cold performance saw the Azzurri defy history, claiming a 22-15 victory over Wales—their first back-to-back wins over the Welsh and their first home triumph in the fixture since 2007.
For Wales, the nightmare deepens. Fourteen straight defeats. Twelfth in the world rankings. A team once built on defiance now teeters on the edge.
At the Stadio Olimpico, though, none of that mattered. This night belonged to Italy.
First Half: Italy Dictate, Wales Stumble
The early exchanges were tense and tactical—both teams poking for weaknesses, waiting for an opening.
Josh Adams had Wales’ first real chance, chasing a Tomos Williams cross-kick, but the wet conditions betrayed him. A fumbled knock-on. A missed opportunity.
Italy made no such mistakes.
A ruck infringement handed Tommaso Allan an early shot, and the fullback obliged—3-0 inside six minutes. Ben Thomas responded to level, but Italy were growing into the contest.
Then came the breakthrough.
Paolo Garbisi saw something no one else did.
A feint. A grubber. A flash of blue darting through the blindside. Ange Capuozzo read it before anyone, touching down with the kind of instinct you can’t teach.
Allan converted, then added two more penalties before the break. 16-3.
Italy weren’t just leading—they were in control.
Second Half: Holding Their Nerve
Wales needed a spark. They turned to Dan Edwards, hoping a fresh pair of hands would change their fortunes.
It took time, but finally, in the 69th minute, they found a way through. Aaron Wainwright crashed over from a rolling maul, a brief reminder of the Wales of old. But Edwards’ conversion clattered off the post. A miss that loomed large.
Italy weren’t done scoring.
Allan—cool, clinical, unshaken—slotted another penalty (19-8, 73rd minute).
Then, the chaos.
Wales camped on the Italian line. Penalty after penalty, the pressure mounted. With two minutes left, the referee went under the posts—penalty try. 22-15.
The penalty try gave Wales a lifeline, but the clock was against them. There was no late surge, no desperate last attack—just a final whistle confirming Italy’s triumph. Rome erupted.
Standout Performances
- Tommaso Allan: 17 points. Absolute composure. A performance built on precision and nerve.
- Ange Capuozzo: A game-breaking moment. One sniff of space was all he needed.
- Paolo Garbisi: Vision, execution, leadership. The architect behind Italy’s biggest win in years.
What’s Next?
For Italy, a new chapter is unfolding. This isn’t just a plucky side stealing wins—it’s a team that expects them.
For Wales? Rock bottom keeps getting deeper.
What’s Next? Round 3 Incoming
Two rounds down, and the Six Nations has already flipped expectations. England’s comeback, Ireland’s dominance, and Italy’s rise have cracked the tournament wide open. Now, as the dust settles, Round 3 looms with defining battles ahead.
England vs. Ireland – Twickenham Showdown
Ireland are rolling, unbeaten, and looking every bit like Grand Slam contenders. But Twickenham is a different beast. England, fresh off their thriller against France, now have belief—and a chance to derail Ireland’s charge. Momentum is theirs. Execution must follow.
Scotland vs. Italy – A New Power Shift?
Scotland expected to be in the title conversation. Instead, they’re chasing their first win. Italy, meanwhile, are growing into something more than just disruptors. Can they prove their Wales win wasn’t a one-off? Murrayfield awaits.
France vs. Wales – Two Teams on the Brink
Two rounds. Two defeats. Two nations desperate for a reset. France have flashed brilliance but lacked a killer edge. Wales, sinking further, need more than just a response—they need a revival. Paris will either be the stage for redemption or another crushing blow.
The stakes are rising. The pressure is mounting. And as Round 3 looms, one thing is certain—there’s no hiding in the Six Nations.